Ohio township rejects plan for bigger Kroger store

West Chester Township zoners voted 4-1 this week to reject a developer's plan that had drawn opposition from residents who warned of safety, traffic and noise issues. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports (http://cin.ci/YGapwL ) that the developer subsequently withdrew its proposal, but could try again later.

Kroger wants to build a 133,000-square-foot "Marketplace" store that would include non-grocery merchandise as the anchor to a new shopping center, a little more than a mile from an existing traditional format Kroger grocery.

Spokeswoman Rachael Betzler of the Cincinnati-based retail giant says Kroger is very disappointed because the new store would be better for shoppers. She says the current store is "busting at the seams."